Speaking of “free” foreclosure living in San Francisco, it was a year ago that we first wrote about 1945 Franklin, the six bedroom Pacific Heights home whose previous owners have included Nicholas Cage, Howard Grossman, and Patricia Arquette.
Purchased in June of 2005 for $3,000,000 by way of a $2,350,000 first mortgage and a $790,000 construction loan second (yes, that’s over 100% financed), the property was refinanced in September 2006 to the tune of $5,000,000 to which a $500,000 home equity line of credit was added three months later.
Scheduled to hit the courthouse steps last September with $5,684,086 owed as of August 2009, the balance due on the $5,000,000 first was up to $6,157,795 as of this past January. And no, we don’t believe any payments have been made since.
As plugged-in people know, that infamous Excalibur seen about town with “ACQUIRE” license plates currently resides in the garage (alongside a Range Rover). Once again, apparently “BorrowSpendDefault” didn’t fit nor have the same ring to it.
The Pacific Heights home is currently scheduled to be un-acquired by way of the courthouse steps in two weeks. And yes, Washington Mutual underwrote the loan for 1945 Franklin as it did for 869 Alvarado. We’ll keep you plugged-in.
∙ 1945 Franklin On The Verge Of Being Un-Acquired [SocketSite]
∙ Going On Four Years Of “Free” Foreclosure Living Over In Noe [SocketSite]

Also, here: http://www.sfexaminer.com/news/business/john-lee-hudson-mind-seeking-new-ideas-and-deals
“John Lee Hudson looks and lives a bit like an aging rock star, complete with great parties, exotic cats, long hair and a self-playing piano. He talks like an eager graduate student of philosophy and economics. But Hudson doesn’t make his money cultivating the image that makes people say, “Ah — a real San Francisco character.”
He owns Hudson & Hudson, a private “boutique investment bank” that specializes in mergers and acquisitions. He said he hooks up people looking to buy or refinance a company with lenders. He charges his clients on a percentage scale based on how many millions they’re financing.
“What I try to do instead of being a broker … I try to work with underwriters. I say, ‘Don’t pay us [Hudson & Hudson], take it off the borrower’s interest rate,’” Hudson said, explaining that he advises his clients in ways to borrow money, which underwriters themselves are barred from doing legally.”

There are more than a few of these cool old houses which are stuck in shadow behind the new streetfront. Seems like the ideal solution would be to slide them forward 20 feet. Heck, they used to move houses across town fifty years ago, so it should be possible. Anyone hear of such a thing happening?

Heck, they used to move houses across town fifty years ago, so it should be possible. Anyone hear of such a thing happening?
I’ve actually always wondered about the logistics of moving these house like they did in the old days. There has to be a reference book or something on this somewhere.
Found this quickly via google:http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/improvement/4342921-2

Interesting idea Alia, but in this case I don’t think it would help much. This house is on the side of Franklin that faces east. The apartment building to the left (south) would still block most of the warm midday light. And by moving the house forward, you will likely lose afternoon sun on the back side. Currently though, it does look uninviting.

he pratically lives at the Balboa. the rumor i heard is that he won the lottery. obviously by rigging it.
since he teaches people to game underwriting to acquire loans, he has proven here that he mastered his own trade

Oohhh, this one. They formerly lived in a rented house on Green Street. He introduced himself as a “Private Investment Banker”.
In my book, a true SF original (yes most are TRANSPLANTS). Makes things a bit more fun.
Who else are our characters of the day?

He’s a personable guy, every time I walk by with my dog he says hello. He lives there with his wife and daughter. The daughter goes to private school (I always see her in a uniform) so they have to be getting money from somewhere.
Judging by the contents of the garage and house, which look to be full, it doesn’t seem like they’re stressing about leaving anytime soon.